The Argosy — page 210: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Where shall I Spend my Holidays 193 from every room. I followed the stream into the drawing-room, where prayers were read by the matron. These were very appropriate, some being specially composed for the house. A little book con- taining the short service was handed to each person present. After prayers I had leisure to examine the room, and was charmed with its home-like comfort’ and graceful elegance. The ladies who founded and furnished this delightful ome did not stop at comfort and necessaries. The eye rests with pleasure upon the delicately- tinted ceiling and walls, the latter hung with choice pictures, a gift from Bishop Fraser, of Manchester ; the floor was carpeted with warm crimson floor cloth, easy-chairs were scattered about, and three in- viting couches. ‘The two long windows, which open upon a terrace, and overlook a pretty garden and lawn, held a stand of ferns in one, a low seat in the other. Flowers in pretty vases stood about on the large writing-table and upon the mantelpieces at either end of the long double room ; a large book-case, well stocked with interest- ing books, filled a recess, and was free to all. This completes, im- perfectly, my first impression, and a closer acquaintance with its numerous comforts only increased my admiration. A piano has now been added, which is a great acquisition. So much for the room; now for the occupants. These were women, twenty perhaps, varying in age from seventeen to sixty, as far as I could judge. Some looked ill, and had evidently availed themselves of a pleasant home and beautiful air to recruit exhausted energies. Most of these, Iam glad to say, seemed quite restored before they said ‘‘ good-bye.” ‘The rest all appeared very happy and full of enjoyment; they greeted me kindly, and assured me I should soon feel at home, as in truth I did. At breakfast, merry talk abounded, and as I was a stranger I had time to survey my neigh- bours. ‘The breakfast-service was very pretty, of delicate blue and white ; I afterwards heard it was a present to the house. After a substantial meal, the rest adjourned, whilst I remained with the matron, who entered my name and address, occupation, and religion, and I then made my first week’s payment. When this was done, as I found the others engaged in making their beds, I followed their example, and also arranged my things in the spaces allotted to them. It was a wet morning, and as out-door exercise was impossible, I started on a tour of inspection, and found that, on the same floor with my own bed-room, were four others, named respectively, from the colours of the walls, the Pink, Blue, Green, and Peacock rooms, and a tiny one over the entrance called the Nest. With the exception of this last and my own (the Peacock), they were all very large, each being divided by white curtains into three or four separate compartments, furnished like my own. After dinner the rain ceased, and I accompanied four of the other visitors in a walk, and saw a little of the beauty of Devonshire. I feel that I am not capable of describing its wonderful scenery : but COMIC OOO SS (C(O)